Implantação de um sistema hidropônico em restaurante localizado na cidade de Tamandaré/PE

Abstract

Hydroponics is a cultivation system where plants are fed with mineral solutions dissolved in water instead of soil. Various hydroponic methods exist, including the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). Hydroponics offers an innovative approach to ensuring food availability. This study aimed to assess the implementation of curly lettuce production through hydroponics (300 heads of lettuce per month) with the goal of partially replacing commercially purchased lettuce for a restaurant in Tamandaré. The planting, using the NFT system, was conducted from April to August 2024. The system was largely assembled using materials already available on-site, which reduced implementation costs. Several parameters of the nutrient solution were monitored throughout the growing cycle, including pH, temperature, and electrical conductivity. The losses during the production cycle of hydroponic lettuce and the cost reduction in acquiring commercially available lettuce were evaluated. The total cost of implementation and production was R$ 10.784,05. All nutrient solution parameters remained within the established values. The system had an average capacity to produce 297 plants of lettuce per month, with losses ranging between 2.30% and 4.39%. A 21.75% reduction in costs for commercially purchased lettuce was observed during the studied months between 2023 and 2024. This is the first study reporting the production of curly lettuce using a hydroponic system in a restaurant located in Tamandaré. The cultivation resulted in reduced purchases of commercial lettuce, making it an attractive alternative for cost reduction and for producers interested in employing this technique.